William ii



(Model.)

W. H, MILLIKEN.

Telegaph Pole.

No. 232,360. Patented sept. 21,1880p l I E j WMMMMLMM N.FETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C

there@ STATES PATENT OFFICEa WILLIAM Il. MILLIKENfOF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE IRON TELEGRAPII POLE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

TELEGRAPH-POLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 232,360, dated September 21, 1880.

Application filed July 16, 1880. (Model.)

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLiAM HENRY MIL- LIKEN, ot' the city and county of San Francisco, in the State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in the Construction of Metallic Telegraph-Poles, and which invention is also particularly adapted to the construction of gas-light or lam p posts, fence-posts, and other like structures, as will be fully set forth and described in the following specification and the accompanying drawmgs.

My invention has for its` object to produce an improved metallic pole for use as a telegraph-pole, a fence or a gas-light post, and for other structures where a cheap, durable, strong, and indestructible pole or post is required, and in situations also where a good conductor of electricity is desirable.

My invention therein consists in constructing a metal pole from tapering sheet-metal sections, forced one upon another, and made relatively1 of such size that the lap of the sections will decrease gradually toward the top ofthe pole, the pole thereby produced being of pyramidal form and having greater weight and solidity toward its base, all of which will be more fully set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a better understandin g of my invention, Figure l is an elevation of a telegraph-pole constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the center of several united sections forming part of a pole or post. Fig. 3 is a detail view ot' detached sections; and Figa isv a view of one of the smaller sections that are used for the upper end of these structures.

These sections are made of tapering or conical form by bending or rolling sheet metal around a core, die, or former, and lapping and securing the edges together by a stove-pipe or lap joint. They are made of sizes and lengths according to the position they occupy in the structure, whether at the base or at or toward the upper end, and so that the lap of the sections one upon another will gradually decrease toward the top ofthe pole; but they all require to have the same general taper, so that the adjoining surfaces shall fit closely together.

The sections that go to form the lower end of the pole are made of greater diameter than the upper ones, and they can be inserted into each other a greater or less distance, as required to give proper strength or stiffness to the bottom part. In the detail view, Fig. 2, the lower sections are shown as extending into each other for onelialt' their length or more; but this will not be required for the sections that form the top of the pole, as the number ofscctions is constantly decreasing toward the top, and more llexibility can be given without impairing the strength. rlhc lower sections also can, it' it be required, be strengthened by a bead or rim formed in the Well-known manner, by turning np the edge over and around a wire; but this will not be necessary eXeeptin constructing poles ot' very great length, as for supports for telegraph'wires.

In the drawings, A represents the larger sections, and A the smaller ones. These sections, being placed togcther and pressed upon each other to the required number, are then treated to a bath composed of hot asphaltum or coal-tar tempered with liuseed-oil in the following proportions: To fifty gallons ot' asphaltum placed in a suitable boiler or tank is added one gallon of linseed-oil, and the same proportion ot' asphaltum and oil is retained for any quantity of the mixture, and the mixture is then boiled until it attains such temper and consistency that when applied to ametal surface it will hold without cracking. This stage can be ascertained by dipping apiece of metal plate into the mixture, and il", after being Withdrawn and allowed t-o cool, it can be bentback and forth without causing the asphaltum coat to crack or rub off, the temper of the compound is at the proper point. If, however, the asphaltum docs not have the property of holding its surface under such treatment, it will be necessary to increase the quantity of oil in the compound. When this bath has reached the proper state the post or pole is dipped into it, and then, after becoming thoroughly coated, it is taken out and allowed to dry and become set.

In the construction of poles or posts of any kind after the manner of this invention the larger sections to form the bottom are taken :in succession and forced down upon or telescoped over .each other, cach being inserted gradually a shorter distance, and then the next smaller ones in order, until the required length is attained; but the power or pressure used should not be so great as to spread or tend to separate the sections at their joints. The structure, when iinished, is set in place hy ilrst filling up and packing` the hollow space within it, and then setting the base into the holeprovided for it and tamping the earth iirmly around it.

In the construction of telegraplrpoles the hole in the top of the small section will serve to hold the stem or arm having the insulatorpins, or the insulator itselfl may be provided with a socket to fit over the apex oi" the top section, and thus cover the opening.

As thus constructed my invention provides a strong and 'durable pole or post, having also qualities of lightness, cheapness, and indestructibility, and also ease of transportation, for the sections, when ofany great size, may be made in one locality and afterward carried to and set up in another. Such structures also or be injured or destroyed by lightning, and when used for telegraph-poles they can serve as a ground-connection.

I am aware that it has before been contemplated to make a metallic telegraph-pole of sections havin g a slight taper, secured together by placing one over the other; but such a pole Would not, it' used, possess the necessary stability. v

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new isy A metallic pole made of pyramidal shape from tapering sheetmetal sections put togeth er With a graduallydecreasing lap toward the top of the pole, so that the pole will be heavier and stronger toward its hase, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day o f October, 1878.

WILLIAM HENRY MILLIKEN.

Witnesses u C. W. M. SMrrrI,

JOHN RAFFERT Y.

' will not he affected by atmospheric influences y 

